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B ENTLEY is to showcase its first ever hybrid petrol-electric battery which will power its forthcoming SUV and pave the way for much wider use of the eco-friendly technology.

The Crewe luxury car maker will be displaying the system in this Mulsanne concept car later this month at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in China.

It is developing a plug-in hybrid system whereby the car has a battery driven electric motor which is charged both by various energy recovery systems built into the car while it is running, and by leaving it plugged into a recharger system at home, work or one of the rapidly increasing number of publicly available points. And Bentley says the results will be impressive.

A spokesman said: "The plug-in hybrid system will offer a power increase of up to 25 per cent, together with a 70 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, both without any compromise to the exquisite luxury, timeless design and industry-leading refinement for which Bentley has become renowned.

"Bentley hybrids will also be capable of driving at least 30 miles on electric power alone, allowing for emissions-free city driving with the option of enhanced performance on the open road."

The hybrid system will first be produced for the company's new SUV in 2017, but will rapidly be rolled-out to the rest of the model range.

Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: "There is no doubt that plug-in hybrid technology is true to Bentley's values of outstanding luxury and effortless performance.

"Combining our renowned engines with electric power reinforces and enhances both principles and so we will gradually introduce this powertrain across our model range.

"By the end of the decade, at least 90 per cent of our production will be available as a plug-in hybrid.

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Bentley plugs into electric technology.. and prepares to go...